The Iowa State Cyclones take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown, WV. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Iowa State is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -258. The total is set at 137.5 points.
Here's my Iowa State vs. West Virginia predictions and college basketball picks for January 18, 2025.
Iowa State vs West Virginia Odds, Pick
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 137 -112o / -108u | -285 |
| West Virginia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 137 -112o / -108u | +230 |
- Iowa State vs West Virginia spread: Iowa State -6.5
- Iowa State vs West Virginia over/under: 137 points
- Iowa State vs West Virginia moneyline: Iowa State -285, West Virginia +230
- Iowa State vs West Virginia best bet: Over 137.5 (Play to 140)
My Iowa State vs West Virginia best bet is on the over, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
My Iowa State vs West Virginia College Basketball Betting Preview
Iowa State Basketball
The No. 2 ranked Iowa State Cyclones are rolling into this matchup after a statement win against Kansas. They have cemented themselves as contenders but face a tough road test in West Virginia.
To this point, the Cyclones have been one of the most well-rounded teams in the country. They rank 13th in adjusted offensive efficiency and eighth in adjusted defensive efficiency. However, this will be their toughest test on the offensive end.
The Cyclones have made their living inside the arc, but getting it done against the Mountaineers is easier said than done. West Virginia ranks 18th in 2-point percentage allowed and does an excellent job of slowing the tempo down to limit the opponent's possessions.
However, the Cyclones are undoubtedly the more talented offensive team and should be able to push the pace in order to find holes in this West Virginia defense. This could allow 3-point shooters like Curtis Jones and Milan Momcilovic to stretch the floor and punish the Mountaineers for collapsing inside.
We have yet to see the Cyclones score less than 74 points this season, and despite the matchup, they should reach the upper 70s here.
West Virginia Basketball
The Mountaineers are a middle-of-the-pack team offensively and have a tough assignment against the Cyclones, but this is a spot where their volume will be upped as Iowa State should control the tempo.
Iowa State has been vulnerable from the perimeter, and the Mountaineers have a bevy of 3-point shooters. If they can get it going early, they could ride that momentum throughout this matchup.
Regardless of how streaky the Mountaineers become on offense, their defense will keep them within a few possessions, which will help lengthen this game in the second half.
Iowa State vs West Virginia Betting Analysis
This is a matchup where the Cyclones are bound to play down to their competition. They have been rolling against a gauntlet of teams over the last two weeks and are due to come out flat defensively on the road.
As we reviewed above, the Mountaineers have the shooters to come out hot, but the Cyclones have the depth and experience to climb out of an early hole. This combination leads up to the over as this total should be closer to 140.
Pick: Over 137.5 (Play to 140)
